Phoenix Gold vs Soundstream amps
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=40013
Printed Date: July 12, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Topic: Phoenix Gold vs Soundstream amps
Posted By: Thuan
Subject: Phoenix Gold vs Soundstream amps
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:05 PM
Which one is better? Im looking at either a Phoenix Gold XS6600 or Soundstream Van Gogh VGA800.5. I need an amp that will power my whole system, my system consists of an Alpine CDA-7998 HU,(4) 4" MB Quarts and one 12" JL Audio 12W6V2 sub. Both of these amps are about the same price but which one is of better quality? Im only looking to spend about $350.00 on an amp. What would you guys go with?
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Thuan
Replies:
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:08 PM
I would consider the tried and true Crossfire VR705D, the Memphis Belle and the Eclipse PA5532 before either of those amplifiers. Do some digging and see what you can find.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: Thuan
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:11 PM
So is Soundstream and Phoenix Gold just overrated? Ive heard great stuff about these amps.
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Thuan
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:23 PM
Soundstream from years ago (5 years and older) were amazing amplfiers, now they are built by Korean company Power Acoustik instead of American company Soundstream. Phoenix Gold as well has their amplifiers now built overseas as well. They did this to do one thing, lower the retail pricing of their equipment. You get what you pay for. While I am sure they are OK amplifers and will work for what you need them to do, have a look at other makes and models.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:42 PM
On the flip side, when Alpine was designed and manufactured in Japan, the quality of the products were far superior to their US successors. Todays Alpine systems ( aside from their very top of the line stuff ) is only a shadow of their Janpanese counterparts.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:47 PM
A shadow? How's about 7 day old stubble instead.  Old School Alpine as awesome. Won myself a 3558 back in the day. Wish to god I would have kept it now though. ------------- Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:50 PM
3558 ?? I have one of those in my winter beater now powering a single DD Drive 12"  . All I can say is WOW !! I've always loved the old Alpine stuff........ 3548 2 channel amp, 6013EX 10 " Subs & the great cassette decks from them were always a treat to install ( the ones with the cages and harness all in one ) Boat anchors in today's industry, but the quality was impeccable. ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: forbidden
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 7:54 PM
Ahhh, you are speaking about the 7300 series of Alpine heads if my memory serves correct. They had one particular model that was interchangeable from tape deck to cd player. They used the same cage and harness. Yup tried and true made in Japan and trounced thoroughly any takers at the time. Too bad they went the way they are now.
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Top Secret, I can tell you but then my wife will kill me.
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 8:01 PM
I still like the F1 stuff from Alpine. No different than the 7909 of the early 90's. You pay for what you get and back then, they set the standard for CD play back. Only problem now is that you have to spend mega bucks for the same quality and they dont put that level of quality in their low, mid or even top of the line stuff unless you go F1. IMO ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: /R7
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 8:26 PM
in reguards to the 2 amps though, i have a tarantula, and havent been happier.
but the brands forbidden listed would/will be my option(s) that i'd sniff through looking for an amp.
nothing wrong with my SS but i want to test the waters with companies, as im very new to car audio.
either amp though should provide enough power to make you happy ;p
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: September 29, 2004 at 8:38 PM
That Tarantula is massive !! Me thinks that it's outside of the $ 350 range that Thuan is gunning for ? ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: Thuan
Date Posted: September 30, 2004 at 12:03 AM
Isnt the Phoenix Gold XS6600 an older amp? Was this amp produced while PG amps were still made in the US? Im looking for something with 5 channels, just wanted one amp to keep it looking clean.
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Thuan
Posted By: /R7
Date Posted: September 30, 2004 at 12:03 AM
i guess im assuming if that amps very impressive the vangogh cant be too far off from that, within reason anyways, the price is obviously going to determine which will appeal to him more with a lower budget, but both amps probably output exactly what they say or more for the money you pay for either one. thats why i said what i did earlier, hopefully i didnt confuse anyone -_-
Posted By: Thuan
Date Posted: September 30, 2004 at 12:05 AM
Isnt Phoenix Gold XS6600 an older amp? Was it made while PG amps were still being produced in the US? Im looking for a 5 channel amp, any suggestion to a particular model that could give me the power I need while being withing my price range? Thanks
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Thuan
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